The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-08-05

and promised te be on hand.
At the appointed hour was shown
into their modest parlor, and youmay
be sure the husbands gratitude was
no less warmly expressed than the
wife's. And little Lizzie threw her
arms around my neck, and showered
on me the innocent caressGs Of a hap
py child. seemed. indeed, to be one
OF the family.
he dinner was u merry one, the
savant seemed to be an interesting
man-in brief, passed an excellent
evening.
The mir had been heavy the whole
day, and IN the evening u storm came
on. Thunder-claps succeeded one
| another without interruption, the
rain fell In torrents. Whether it was
the effect OF the storm, OF the suflicat-
ing heat, or OF the wine had drunk,
felt strange melancholy, ! could
| not breathe comfortably. | was
about to set out for home, however,
for it was late and my house WIS at
some distance; but they insisted that
| should stay. 1t would he foolish.
to expose mysek to such n temp
est, when / was not feeling we'll;
the mother begged me with such o
good grace that | felt forced toremain
and pass the pight in that hospitable
| house. They tremendously conduct
ed me to my room, and they wished
me good night. | remember, even,
that Lizzie having fallen asleep IN her
fathers arms, | kissed her little cheek,
paled by sleep, and her little dimpled
| arms.
Left alone | began to undGess slowly
and wandering about the room, rs
ono always does when they sleep in g
| strange place. felt as il | should
smother in the close atmosphere OF
the room. Before getting in bed,
wanted to inhale q little of the out
side air, and in spite OF the roaring
storm, tried to open the window. 1t
was a false window.
"Well, well!" | exclaimed, @ little
| surprised.
l thought would remove the chin
ney-screen; it was false chimney.
! rushed to the door--it was locked!
Fear seized me, and, holding my
breath, | listened. The house was
| quiet, all seemed to be asleep. Then
inspected the room carefully, strain
ing my ears for the least sound. On the
floor, near the bed, Noticed spots; it
was blood-dried and blackened blood!
| shuddered, md cold sweat stood
out on my forehead. Blood Why
should there be blood there2 And |
saw that whole sea OF blood must
have been split therefor a great
space around, the hard wooden floor
had been freshly scrubbed and scrap
ed. All at once cried out. Under
the bed had seen u man, stretched
out, motionlcss as an overturned
statue. could not cry or call out.
With trembling hands l touched the
man. He did not move. With tremb.
ling hands ! pushed the man; he did
seized the man by the feet and drew
him forth--he was dead! His neck
had been cleanly cut, as with one
stroke OF q razor, and the head held
to the trunk only by o slender liga
ment.
| thought l should 90 mad. But
something must hedone-the assassin
might come ut any moment. / raised
the body to place 1t on the bed.
made II false step, and the livid head
turned over, swung to Gnd fro for a
moment like q hideous pendulum, antl
then, detached from the trunk, tell on
the floor with q duh sound. With great
difficulty introduced the decapitat-
ed trunk between the sheets picked up
the head and placed 1t on the pillow
like that OF a sleeping man, mud, hav-
ing blown out the candle, slipped
under the bed. did all this mechan-
ically, without thought OF defense or
safety; it was instinct that prompted
me, not intelligence OF reflection
My teeth chartered. My hands were
wet with thick moisture. felt as il
had gone to bed in charnel- house
remained there, in that awful fear,
minutes, hours, months, years. centn
ries-I do not know how long. ! lost
all idea OF time and place. All was 81!
lent. From without, the noise OF the
storm and the whistl,ng OF the wind
came to me softened and sad, like
moans. ] could not picture to myself
the assassin who was coming-whc
was there perhaps. In that state O
horror, could see only little Lizzie
fair, rosy, and frank, with her dol
and her great hat; could see her sleep
ing i'll her fathers arms; now and ther
she slightly raised her eyelids and dis
closed her eyes, which seemed to mt
to be bold, implacable, cruel, murder
ous.
The door opened, but as softly rs
the scratching OF u mouse. | bit my
lips till the blood came, to keep from
crying out. Now man stepped in will
gliding tread, with infinite precautions
to avoid touching the furniture. II
seemed to me "a ii Icould see the cruel
clutching fingers gliding over my
clothes, searching my pockets. Their
the steps came nearer, seemed to graz.
me. | felt that the man was bending
over the bed, that he struck one tiei CT
blow. Then knew nothing more.
When | recovered consciousness, thu
room had become silent again. But
fright held me nailed to the spot. Al
length decided to escape, with wha,
caution you may imagine. On tiptot
gained the door, which had not beer
closed. Not u sound, not u breath
Feeling my way, passed into the hall
| waited TO see n head thrust sudden
in the dark But no-the brute, glut
teu WIN Ciiiile, Siei'L "iLhouN ItiloiSe
descended the stairs, drew the bolt
of the door, and, hnlf faintins, viii
the blood frozen i'll my Veins, iell in
to the gutter OF the deserted street.
Doctor Bertram had listened to my
recital with the deepest interest
"And there found you, Mr.. Fur
Mss, and in what n stmte! Could yol
recognize the house,"
"Yes," replied; "but TIC what endY
"Well, let me cure you, and thel
we shall go together to the house o
these assassins."
Eight days later, the doctor and
stood in Lower Abbey Street. ! rec
ogniZed the terrible house. All tn,
blinds were drawn; in front OF tn,
door u placnrd was placed, bearin:
the legend: "To let"
] inquired OF the former residents
from Il neighbor.
"rhey have been gone n month anc
more, +" she replied. cts a great pity
for thoy were very nice people. -
Translated for the Argonant from th,
French OF Octave Mirbeau.